Capsaicin is the ingredient found in different types of hot peppers, such as cayenne peppers, that makes the peppers spicy hot. You can eat it in raw or cooked peppers or as a dried powder, which you can add to food or drinks. It also is available as a dietary supplement and in topical creams that you apply to your skin.

Capsaicin Chemical Properties

Melting point

62-65 °C(lit.)

Boiling point

210-220 C

density

1.1037 (rough estimate)

refractive index

1.5100 (estimate)

FEMA

3404 | CAPSAICIN

Fp

113 °C

storage temp.

2-8°C

solubility

H2O: insoluble

Water Solubility

insoluble

Merck

14,1768

Stability:

Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

Capsaicin Usage

When a capsaicin cream or ointment is used on the skin (topical use), capsaicin helps relieve pain. Capsaicin works by first stimulating and then decreasing the intensity of pain signals in the body. Although pain may at first increase, it usually decreases after the first use. Capsaicin stimulates the release of a compound believed to be involved in communicating pain between the nerves in the spinal cord and other parts of the body.

When you apply it to the skin, capsaicin may help relieve pain from:

Pain disorders, including pain after surgery.

Nervous system problems such as diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, and postherpetic neuralgia (shingles).

Cluster headaches.

Joint problems such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Mouth sores due to chemotherapy or radiation.

In general, you use creams containing capsaicin for pain relief. You can put the creams on your skin up to 4 times a day. You may feel a burning or itchingsensation the first few times you use the cream, but this will gradually decrease with each use. Wash your hands thoroughly after each use to avoid getting the cream in your eyes or on other moist mucous membranes, where it can cause a burning sensation. Do not use the cream on areas of broken skin.

Supplement use

When you eat hot peppers or take capsaicin as a dietary supplement, the capsaicin may improve your digestion by increasing the digestive fluids in the stomach and by fighting bacteria that could cause an infection. It may also help fight diarrhea caused by bacterial infection.

Capsaicin acts as an antioxidant, protecting the cells of the body from damage by harmful molecules called free radicals. Capsaicin also may help prevent bacterial infections.

Capsaicin may also make mucus thinner and help move it out of the lungs. It is also thought to strengthen lung tissues and help to prevent or treatemphysema.

Uses

Uses

A representative lot is a 5:1 E:Z mixture. It is used as a tool in neurobiological research. Prototype vanilloid receptor agonist. Topical analgesic.

Uses

K channel blocker; multiple sclerosis therapy

Uses

analgesic (topical), depletes Substance P, neurotoxic

Uses

Capsaicin analogue (C175680). It is used as a tool in neurobiological research. Prototype vanilloid receptor agonist. Topical analgesic.

Uses

Capsaicin is used in many topical ointments used to relieve the pain of peripheral neuropathy (treatment of pain in the nerve endings near the surface of the skin).

Uses

As a tool in neurobiological research.

Is capsaicin safe?

Experts in the United States generally consider capsaicin to be safe. But it can cause some unpleasant effects, especially for those who are not used to it. Be careful when you cook with or eat hot peppers. Begin with small amounts, and increase the amount as you get used to it.
An allergic reaction to capsaicin is possible. If you are just beginning to use capsaicin, either as fresh or prepared food or in powder form, start with small amounts. If you use a topical cream, you should first apply it to a small area of skin to test for an allergic reaction.
Do not take capsaicin if you have high blood pressure or are already being treated for high blood pressure.
To reduce the burning sensation, remove the seeds from the peppers before you eat or cook with them. Also, if you eat bananas along with the peppers, you may reduce the burning sensation.